# US 7,040,723 B2 · Modular food guard apparatus and systems and methods of use thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,040,723 B2 - Document ID: US7040723B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/243,234 - Filed: 2002-09-13 - Published: 2003-03-13 - Granted: 2006-05-09 - Earliest claimed: 2001-09-13 - Assignees: Elemental Ideas, LLC - Inventors: Jose Orlando Matus, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7040723B2 ## CPC - A47F 10/06: for restaurant service systems (table equipment A47G {; dirty crockery transport in association with crockery washing machines A47L15/00}) - A47F 2010/065: {Food shields; sneeze guards} - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS ## Abstract A modular food guard apparatus including at least one vertical mounting member, at least one first bracket member, and at least one second bracket member. The first and the second bracket members have different constructions and are arranged and configured to be removably secured to the at least one vertical mounting member interchangeably. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular food guard apparatus, comprising: at least one vertical mounting member; at least one first bracket member; at least one second bracket member, wherein the first and the second bracket members have different constructions and are arranged and configured to be removably secured to the at least one vertical mounting member interchangeably, and wherein at least one of the first bracket member and the second bracket member is configured in such a way that at least one of the first bracket member and the second bracket member can be disposed in a plurality of positions relative to the at least one vertical mounting member; a plurality of pivot pins configured to engage a plurality of support receptacles disposed in the vertical mounting member; and a first support aperture and a second support aperture disposed in each of the first and the second bracket members, the first support aperture and the second support aperture being separated by a distance, wherein the first and the second bracket members are removably secured to the vertical mounting member by disposing the pivot pins through the first and the second support apertures and engaging the support receptacles; and wherein the second support aperture of the at least one first bracket member further comprises a plurality of second support apertures, each of the second support apertures being equidistant from the first support aperture such that the at least one first bracket member can be disposed in a plurality of positions relative to the at least one vertical mounting member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pivot pins and the plurality of support receptacles are matingly threaded. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first bracket member and the second bracket member are further configured to removably receive a shield. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one vertical mounting member further includes a first side and a second side, and the at least one vertical mounting member is configured such that the first and the second bracket members can be removably secured to the first side simultaneously. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one vertical mounting member further includes a first side and a second side, and the at least one vertical mounting member is configured such that the first and the second bracket members can be removably secured to the first and the second sides, respectively, simultaneously. ### Claim 6 A modular food guard apparatus, comprising: at least one vertical mounting member; at least one first bracket member; at least one second bracket member, wherein the first and the second bracket members have different constructions and are arranged and configured to be removably secured to the at least one vertical mounting member interchangeably, and wherein at least one of the first bracket member and the second bracket member is configured in such a way that at least one of the first bracket member and the second bracket member can be disposed in a plurality of positions relative to the at least one vertical mounting member; a plurality of pivot pins configured to engage a plurality of support receptacles disposed in the vertical mounting member; and a first support aperture and a second support aperture disposed in each of the first and the second bracket members, the first support aperture and the second support aperture being separated by a distance, wherein the first and the second bracket members are removably secured to the vertical mounting member by disposing the pivot pins through the first and the second support apertures and engaging the support receptacles; and wherein the second support aperture of the at least one first bracket member further comprises a support slot configured such that the support slot is equidistant from the first support aperture by the distance, thereby allowing the at least one first bracket member to be disposed in a plurality of positions relative to the at least one vertical mounting member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of pivot pins and the plurality of support receptacles are matingly threaded. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first bracket member and the second bracket member are further configured to removably receive a shield. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one vertical mounting member further includes a first side and a second side, and the at least one vertical mounting member is configured such that the first and the second bracket members can be removably secured to the first side simultaneously. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one vertical mounting member further includes a first side and a second side, and the at least one vertical mounting member is configured such that the first and the second bracket members can be removably secured to the first and the second sides, respectively, simultaneously.